Quinlan to face hearing next week

Updated: Thursday, 07 May 2009 18:32

Alan Quinlan will learn his fate next Wednesday

Munster's Alan Quinlan will learn if his place on the Lions tour to South Africa is in jeopardy next week.

The veteran forward is due to appear before an independent Disciplinary Committee in Dublin on Wednesday, 13 May, as a result of a citing arising from the Heineken Cup semi-final match against Leinster at Croke Park last Saturday.

The citing lodged by the Citing Commissioner for the match, John Byett (England), is for alleged contact with the eye / eye area of Leinster captain Leo Cullen in contravention of Law 10.4 (k).

The tour is due to depart in 17 days.

Should Quinlan be found guilty of gouging, the minimum punishment would be a 12-week suspension. However, the Shannon and Munster forward could face even longer out of the game.

Earlier this year, Irish international flanker and Northampton player Neil Best received an 18-week suspension and back in 2007, his club team-mate, Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley, was banned for 26 weeks, both for gouging offences.

The independent Disciplinary Committee will be chaired by Roger Morris (Wales) and also comprise Simon Thomas (Wales) and Mike Hamlin (England).